Method and apparatus for treating or moistening yarn



E. P. BACHMANN ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OR MOISTENING YARN Filed June 27. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet March 15, 1932.

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TREATING OR MOISTENING YARN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 27, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed June March 15, 1932. E. P. BACHMANN ET AL 1,850,047

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OR MOISTENING YARN Filed June 27, 1930 5 Sheets-$heet 3 Patented Mar. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EUGENE P. BAOHKLNN AND WILLY H. LASG H, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE ATWOOD MACHINE COMPANY, 01

CITY, NEW JERSEY, A. CORPORATION 01 m JERSEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING B HOIB'I'ENING YARN Application filed June 87,

yarn in a knitting or like operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel ap aratus and method for conditionin yarn w ereb the conditioning operation 1s materially acilitated, with a consequent saving in time and expense.

To this latter end, the invention contemplates provision of a novel method and appiaratus for treating yarn on bobbins with a quid conditioning medium affording an accurately gaged and graded impregnation from the inner to the outer layers of the yarn, whereby if desired the latter may used immediately in the knitting or other operation for which'it has been prepared, the yarn as it passes from the bobbin to the needles showing a predetermined and substantially uniform moisture condition which is substantially maintained throughout the entire length of yarn wound upon the bobbin.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for treating yarn in bobbins with a liquid conditioning medium wherein a plurality of bobbins may be simultaneously treated.

a The invention further resides in certain novel mechanical and structural features hereinafter set forth' and illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a machine made in accordance with our invention; 4

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a section of the machine, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustratin a detail of the mechanism.

i In t e knitting of silk fabrics, it is essential, for best results, that the silk passing to the needles shall be in a predetermined uniformly moist condition. It is also essential that the moisture content ofthe silk shall in innermost layer.

1930. Serial Il'o. 404,888.

not exceed an allowable maximum. Where a bobbin of yarn is uniformly moist throughout, the moisture or a substantial portion thereof will frequently have evaporated from the inner layers by the time these layers are fed to the needles, so that in practice a uniforml moistened bobbin frequently fails to afior a uniformly conditioned am at the needles. Considerable difficulty as been experienced in obtainin a proper condition in the am and those 0 the prior methods affor ing best results have involved long and expensive operations, such for example as that known as back winding. The less expensive methods of the prior art have been without exce tion unsatisfactory.

We have iscovered. a' method and have provided an apparatus whereb yarn in bobbins may be rapldly treated with a liquid conditioning agent so as to render the yarn immediately available for a knittin or other operation in which it is require that the yarn be delivered continuously from the bobbin in a substantially uniform and accurately regulated moisture condition.

In accordance with our invention, water or other liquid medium is ap lied to the yarn from the interior of a per lrated bobbin or s 001 upon which the yarn is wound, the liquid being fed to the bobbins at a predetermined regulated pressure which is maintained until the moisture has penetrated to the outer surface of the am body, and is then immediately relieved. By employing a pressure sufiiciently high to efiect a rapid penetration of the yarn, not only is there efi'ected a considerab e saving in time and expense but the conditioning operation is highly eflicient and afiords an accurately graded moisture condition throughout the yarn body, the outer surface layers of the yarn beingin condition for immediate em loyment in the production for example of a itt'ed fabric and the underlying layers containing a progressively greater moisture content whlch is not excessive even As a result of this process, we have found it possible to transfer the bobbins from the moistening apparatus directly to the knitting machines, with a resultant production of a highly uniform product, since while the inner layers of the am on the bobbin contain more moisture t an'the exterior layers, this moisture evaporates at a rate corresponding substantially with the rate at which the yarn is fed to the needles whereby the yarn at the needles has a substantially uniform moisture content. In the event that the yarn followin the conditiom ing treatmentls not require for immediate use, it ma be placed in a humidifying chamber and lie t there indefinitely under the usual humi ity conditions without material change in the moisture condition of the yarn as produced in the conditioning operation described above.

It is impertgit that the liquid pressure be carefully regulated, since a too-low pressure tends to result in an over-treatment or excess moisture condition in the inner layers of the yarn, while too high apressure renders control diflicult. An over-treatment or eiicessive moisteninlg of the inner layers may result in injury to t e yarn and a tendency of the yarn to swell and to leave the cone. For moistening silk on a standard 6" cone which contains approximately fifty perforations ranging in size from A" .to and upon which the silk is wound to approximately in depth, we have found a water pressure of approximately ten pounds to afl'ord highly satisfactory results, although this pressure may vary to some extent either way. In' the above instance, we have found theconditioning operation for the individual cone to require approximately four seconds. The 11 uid pressure, of course, may be varied to suit the character of the particular yarn under treatment, the size of the perforations in the cone and the thickness to which the yarn is wound thereon, and also to some extent the composition of the treating medium.

While the apparatus employed in the practice of the method outlined above may vary widely as to form, we have obtained highly desirable results from the embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings. With reference thereto, the machine may comprise a base or frame structure 1 supporting spaced brackets 2 which in turn constitute supports for a pair of ing upwardly rom the pipes 3 and 4 at spaced intervals throughout the lengths of the latter are sleeves 5 in which are slidably fitted hollow valve stems 6, these stems having perforations 7 adjacent their lower ends and a flan ed head portion 8 which when the stem is e evated as illustrated in the drawings bears a ainst a gasket 9, which latter is thus confine between the said head portion and the lower end of the sleeve 5. In this position of the stem 6, therefore, the interior'of the stem is sealed from the interior of the pipe 3 or 4 as the case may be.

Carried by the upper end of the stem 6 is a member 11 between which and the upper ipe mains 3 and 4. Extendend of the sleeve 5 is confined a spring 12 which functions to hold the stem in the normal elevated position as illustrated. The head 11 carries an annular rubber gasket 13 which was 'tutes a seat for the lower end of a erfo ated bobbin 14 upon which the silk t read is wound in the usual manner. The bobbin is rforated only in that part which is covere by the silk yarn. The sleeve 5 also carries an annular gasket which, when the member 11 is depressed, as hereinafter set forth, is enga ed by the lower ed e of the said member to orm a seal around t e outside of the stem 6 above the sleeve.

Extending upwardly from the base frame 1 are side standards or uprightslfi. These standards carry transversely projectin arms 16 which extend inwardly to a oint directly overlying the bobbins 14 seated on the rubher askets 13. Pivotally supported on the standards are arms 17 whlch also extend inwardly to a point overlying the inner ends of the arms 16, and depending from each of the arms 17is a stem 18 which extends downwardly through a ertures in the inner ends of the arms 16 an at their lower ends carry socket elements 19 which are adapted to engage the tops of the bobbins 14 as illustrated 1n Fig. 1. Springs 21 surround these rods 18 and exert a pressure tending to maintain the arms 17 in an elevated osition in which the socket elements 19 are old clear of the tops of the bobbins 14. Sup orted on the tops of the arms 17 and prefera bly extending the full length of the machine are rods 22 which may be pivotally secured to the standards 15 by means of arms 23. These rods 22 are engaged from above by a yoke 24 from which depend actuatin rods 25 by means of which these yokes may e drawn downwardl to thereb exert pressure on the rods 22 suiii cient to epress the arms 17 on their pivots against the tension of the springs 21. The rods 25 may be connected to a treadle or to any suitable means for applying manual or other force for de ressing the yoke. The yoke, therefore and associated parts constitute a means whereby the socket elements 19 may be brought down upon the tops of the bobbins 14 to force the latter firmly on their seats 13 and to retain them in that position. In operation, the wound bobbins are placed upon t e seats 13 and the yoke thereupon depressed to bring the socket members 19 into engagement with the bobbin tops. This pressure not only forces the bobbin to its seat upon the gaskets 13 but also de resses the member 11 and the hollow val e stem 6 against the pressure of the spring 12, this depression continuin until the apertures 7 clear the lower end 0% the sleeve 5 and are in communication with the interior of the pipe 3 or 4, as the case may be, and until the lower edge of the member 11 meets the gasket 10. .The pipes 3 and 4 are'in communication with a suitable source of water under predetermined pressure, which water is accordingly forced through the hollow stem 6 and jet nozzle 20 to the interior of the bobbins 14. After filling the bobbins, the water forces its way outwardly throu h the perforations in the bobbin and into t e body of wound silk and eventually a pears in minute beads at the surface of t e silk body. As soon as these surface beads appear, indicating that the water has assed completely through the mass of silk, t e oke 24 is released, ermitting the depresse parts to elevate an thereby shuttin off the supply of water to the bobbins. he bobbins may then be removed and re laced.

It wi 1 be apparent that the machine may be operated to less than full capacity if desired without loss of pressure, since the valves to the respective bobbin heads are opened entirely by pressure exerted through the bobbins themselves, so that to those heads not containin bobbins no water is admitted.

It will e understood that the invention is not restricted to the treatment of silk with water, and may be employed in principle and to advantage for the conditioning or treatment of any type of yarn on bobbins or their equivalent with any character of liquid medium. It will further be understood that there may be considerable modification in the apparatus as herein disclosed without departure from the invention.

We claim:

1. The method of conditioning yarn, which consists in winding the yarn upon a hollow perforated bobbin, applying fluid pressure to the interior of the bobbin, and discontinuing said fluid pressure immediately subsequent to the appearance of moisture at the outer surface of the Wound yarn.

2. The method of conditioning yarn, which consists in winding the yarn upon a hollow perforated bobbin, and applying liquid to the interior of the bobbin under a pressure controlled and regulated to afl'ord a predetermined condition in the inner layers of yarn when the liquid appears on the outer surface.

3. The method of conditioning yarn, which consists in winding the yarn upon a hollow perforated bobbin, causing a liquid treating medium to penetrate the wound mass of yarn from the interior of the bobbin outwardly, regulating the pressure on said liquid to determine the time required for said penetration, and discontinuing the treatment subsequent to complete penetration of said mass. 4. In apparatus for treatment of yarn, the combination of a pipe adapted for connection with a source of liquid under pressure, bobbin supports having connection with the interior of said pipe, valve means controlling said connection. and means operated by pressure on said bobbin for opening the valve.

5. In apparatus for treatment'of yarn, the combination with a manifold ada ted for connection with a source of fluid un er pressure, of a plurality of bobbin supports havin passages communicating with said manifo d, means for retaining hollow perforated bobbins on said supports with their interiors in communication with said passages, and means for controlling passage of fluid to the bobbins.

6. In a paratus for treatment of yarn, the combination with a duct. adapted for connection with asource of liquid under pressure, of a bobbin support having a port whereby communication may be established between the said duct and the interior of the bobbin, a valve controlling the connection between the duct and the said port said valve including a stem upon which said support is mounted, a spring normally retaining said stem 1n valve-closing position, and means for exerting a pressure through a spindle seated on said support to open the valve against the pressure of said spring.

7. In a paratus for treatment of yarn, the combination with a duct adapted for connection with a source of liquid under pressure, said duct having a port, of a hollow valve stem slidably mounted in said port and adapted to close the latter, said stem being adjustable to a position effecting a communication between the interior of the duct and the interior of the stem, a spindle support carried by said stem and having an opening communicating with the interior of said stem and through which communication is established between the interior of the stem and the interior of a spindle seated on said support, means whereby the stem is normally maintained in the valve-closing position, and means for shifting said stem to eifect communication between the said duct and the interior of the spindle.

8. In apparatus for treatment of yarn, the

combination with a plurality of bobbin suports each having an opening communicating with the interior of a bobbin seated on the support, a fluid pressure duct, and a valve controlling the connection between the said duct and each of said bobbin support openings, means for normally maintaining said valves closed, and means whereby said valves are opened by pressure exterted through the said bobbins.

9. In apparatus for treatment of yarn, the combination with a pressure duct, of a plurality of bobbin supports associated with said duct and each having a port, valve-controlled means for establishing communication between the duct and said ports, a member overlying and adapted to engage the tops of bobbins seated on the supports, means for depressing said member to exert a downward pressure upon the bobbins and through the bobbins upon said supports, and mechanism operatively connecting the supports and the said valves whereby said downward pressure effects an opemng of the valves establishing communication through the said POIZtS between the duct and the interior of said b bb'n 1 S EUGENE P. BACHMANN.

WILLY H. LASCH.

DISCLAIMER 1,850,047.Eu me P. Bochmann and Willy H. Lasch, Philadelphia, Pa. METHOD AND PPARA TUS Eon 'IIEEATING on MOISTENING YARN. Patent dated March 15, 1932. Disclaimer filed May 29, 1935, by the assignee, The

Atwood Machine Company.

Hereby disclaims:

(1) Claim 5 in its entirety; and

(2) From the scope of claims 1 to 3, inclusive, except those wherein the tinuousl to the inner surface of the by the hlguid has been completed as indicated by the appearance of moisture on the j outer an ace of the package.

Qfiic'ial Gazette June 18, 1935.]

operatively connecting the supports and the said valves whereby said downward pressure effects an opening of the valves establishing communication through the said ports between the duct and the interior of said bobbins.

EUGENE P. BACHMANN. WILLY H. LASCH.

DISCLAIMER 1,850,047.Eu me P. Bwchmann andWilly H. Lasch Phil d 1 hi AND PPARA TUS i on TIE-EATING OR Mommme fiinf 1 38112 21323 March 15, 1932. Disclaimer filed May 29, 1935, by the assignee, The

Atwood Machine Company. Hereby disclaims: (1) Claim 5 in its entirety; and (2) From the scope of claims 1 3, inclusive, all methods of conditioning yarn gfisgfisiihow wherein the liquld-conditiomng medium is fed under pressure and conby the 11 aid has been com leted as indie t d b outer slugs of the packagga. e y the appearance of moisture on the Qfiicial Gazette June 18, 1935.] 

